The best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur
At Meet The Cities we made a list of the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur categorized by the cuisine they offer. So if you are wondering what the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur are or when you have cravings for a specific kitchen then this guide will help you out. One of the best thing about the city is its foodscape, which is in a constant state of evolution, whether in its diverse street food or its niche restaurants. As common in Kuala Lumpur many restaurants offer dishes from several cuisines, so you will be likely to find Asian dishes in European restaurants as well. But what every restaurant on this page has in common is that the visitors agree they all offer excellent food and a delightful ambiance.
South East Asian restaurants
Opium KL
Opium KL is an Asian restaurants in Kuala Lumpur distinguished for its cozy atmosphere. You can find delicious Malaysian and Chinese dishes here, but also western influenced dishes. It’s a perfect place to try out new fresh flavours, as you can’t go wrong if you sit down with local favorite like Loh Shi Fun rice noodles and Beef Rendang. Opium KL also stands out for the rich variety of cocktails it has to offer. The Chinese styled restaurant looks down the popular restaurant and nightlife street of Changkat Bukit Bintang, so chances are that you will come across this restaurant when exploring the city center.
Bijan
When you are in Malaysia you owe it to yourself to try the local cuisine and delicacies. Your vacation won’t be complete without it. And when you are looking for excellent Malay food then you Bijan is the restaurant that offers what you seek. The fine Malay courses are local with a twist. You can try a taste of the local cuisine with a tasty sea dish like masak lemak ikan or some shrimp bites called cucur udang. This restaurant with a warm ambiance is located one street away from the touristic Bukit Bintang.
Tamarind Hill
Tamarind Hill is hidden away in the heart of the shopping district of Kuala Lumpur. As you arrive by following a path surrounded by trees it looks like you escaped the city and entered a serene shrine surrounded by calm water and nature, making it an excellent decor for a romantic dinner. In this restaurant delicious Thai food is served. Lovers of Thai food can be delighted as the restaurant offers a great mastery of the cuisine. The duck is often recommended by visitors, but the Thai curries, fish dishes and desserts are also a treat.
Mediterranean restaurants
Marini’s On 57
Marini’s On 57 is an Italian restaurant that offers a spectacular panoramic view over the city of Kuala Lumpur and the iconic Petronas twin towers. The restaurant is on the 57th floor and rooftop of a 267 meter high (876 ft) skyscraper called Petronas tower 3. The walls and roof are entirely made of glass allowing you to eat delicious Italian pastas with a dazzling view unmatched in a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. It’s not the cheapest place to eat, but if you plan on some fine dining then the chefs of Marini’s will take good care of you.
Quivo
Quivo is an attractive Mediterranean fresh ingredient restaurant with a very Italian orientation. The restaurant showcases a very elegant and fashionable design and is located in the shopping heart of Kuala Lumpur, at the Pavilion shopping mall. It has a fast and friendly staff who are always ready to help you satisfy your cravings.
At Quivo you can enjoy a wide range of pizza’s, pleasant pastas, risotto and even Cajun burgers. The qualified chefs know how to put down a filling dish with flavourful fresh ingredients. If you’re wish to sit down for a drink then you’ll be glad to know the restaurant offers a wide variety of teas, coffees and cocktails from iced caramel coffee to American whiskeys and tropical drinks. So when you’re done shopping Quivo is a great place to wind down at with a nice Italian meal.
El Cerdo
El Cerdo is one of the premier restaurants in Malaysia that has been in business for more than 9 years. Located in Changkat Bukit Bintang, the restaurant specializes in serving pork dishes with popular flavors from Spain, Italy, Germany, Mexico and the Caribbean. Travelers are always welcome to make reservations on the restaurant to enjoy super delicious pork servings.
El Cerdo restaurant menu features plenty of dishes made from pork. Some of the main dishes visitors can taste include hickory smoked Iberico soft ribs, ham knuckle ‘Berliner Eisbein’, pig tail stew and Wiener schnitzel. Also available in the menu are Cochinillo Al Estilo Segoviano, German crispy knuckle, marinated pork shoulder steak and Cognac flamed pork tenderloin skewer. Other dishes you can enjoy include house special ribs, sausage galores, pastas, paella, desserts and cold as well as warm appetizers.
The restaurant fervently prepares a wide range of tasty meals that can savor every customer’s appetite. The meals tend to have a fair pricing, which means, you can always enjoy your favorite delicacies without really digging deeper into your pocket.
Steakhouses
Thirty8 KL
Thirty8 KL is an elegant restaurant located on the 38th floor of Grand Hyatt hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant offers an intriguing mix of flavours from western cuisines, china and Japan, with delicat Wagyu and Black Angus beef, fresh seafood and delicious salads forming the restaurant’s main appeal. You can also indulge yourself in Chinese wok dishes, noodles and traditional western stoves so even vegetarians will be able to thrive here.
The restaurant offers a 360 degrees view of the city which makes for stunning imagery as it is strategically positioned at the heart of the city overviewing the Petronas towers, KLCC park and the shopping districts. The glass windows of this restaurant start from the floor and go all the way up to the ceiling. This gives you a clear view of the city and the skyline. Natural light is also able to penetrate perfectly to the whole restaurant and this helps you have a better feel of relaxation and serenity. Besides a restaurant Thirty8 KL also features a wine bar and a lounge where you can sit down and enjoy the view in comfort.
Fuego Troika Sky Dining
Fuego is a latin American restaurant, which means delicious tapas, a diverse array of guacamole dishes, fish ceviche, corn bread dishes, delicious grilled beefs, Wagyu Sirloin in truffle sauce, and much more. The restaurant is much more than a regular steakhouse, but it’s one of the best destinations for anyone looking for warm grilled flavours.
As it’s located behind KLCC Park on the 23th floor you can enjoy your dinner with a magnificent view over the coolest parts of town. While being served a variety of dishes by the attentive staff you can enjoy the great view and the wonderful ambiance only a South American restaurant can offer.
Marble 8
Marble 8 Steakhouse is a ritzy place where you can enjoy out-of-the-world steaks with refreshing cocktails. All this actions happens right at the heart of the city, near KLCC park.
This place is a meat lover’s paradise and you are only served the best product. You can cherish on top-class imported wagyu beef or experiment with pan-fried duck liver or some flavorsome Russian Caviar. Sea-food lovers won’t be disappointed as there are enough space in menu dedicated to prawn and lobsters. To quench your thirst, the M8 Bar serves some of the most amazing cocktails in the city, made by expert mixologists. You also get access to rare brands of beers, single-malt, vodka and champagne.
The restaurant is also celebrated for its classy upscale décor. Ground to ceiling glass windows give you an imposing view of the Petronas Twin Towers and the surrounding cityscape.
Japanese restaurants
Nobu
Nobu Kuala Lumpur is a highly popular restaurant among many tourists who visit Malaysia’s capital. The restaurant specializes in contemporary Japanese cuisines combined with South American flavors. The location of the restaurant is stunning as it offers a top notch view from the 56th floor of the third Petronas Tower. The interior looks both warm and chic as expected from Japanese restaurants.
With classical and innovative dishes covering a broad palate of flavours the restaurant offers a broad appeal. The power of the Nobu recipe shows as it boasts more than 23 years of experience in the industry and has franchises all over the globe. Nobu Kuala Lumpur only adds to it as it’s outstanding menu and superb service makes it one of the best restaurants to visit while in KL.
The restaurant has plenty of dishes that you can enjoy if you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first or second time. Nobu lunch features appetizers like Nobu Tacos, Crispy rice with spiced Tuna, Half Lobster Shiitake Sala, Chilean Sea Bass-Unami and more. Its main lunch dishes include Salmon Anticucho Donburi, chicken Udon, beef Tenderloin, Unagi Domburi, seafood Kakiage, spicy vegetables Domburi among others. There are also plenty of Sushi and Sashimi dishes, Sushi rolls, hand roll and cut tolls plus Nobu desserts that you can enjoy.
Iketeru
Ritzy ambiance and quality authentic Japanese food go hand-in-hand at Iketaru and superior dinners of matching quality are exactly what you can expect This hidden jewel is located inside Hilton Kuala Lumpur in KL. This upmarket Japanese restaurant offers a wide variety of nutritionally rich and delicious food options, with bold flavors and simple presentation, highlighting premium quality, fresh ingredients. The food here is expertly prepared, with a touch of imagination and creativity to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
The exceptional flavors of their signature and classic menu will delight and inspire, as only the finest, best and freshest ingredients are used by their expert chefs. Some of the must-try dishes on the menu include Wagyu Sirloin Beef, well-curated sushi and sashimi, lobster and salad. Whether you are looking for traditional Japanese delicacies or reinvented signature Japanese dishes, Iketaru can offer much more to make your meal a memorable one.
European restaurants
Skillet At 163
Skillet at 163 is one of the most esteemed fine dining restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and is conveniently located at Fraser Palace. The first thing which will strike you upon entering is the inviting and light interior, while being a fine dining restaurant, the atmosphere is quite casual and friendly. European luxury dishes with an Asian twist dominate the seasonal fusion menu, although the restaurant is not afraid to get creative and experiment with dishes from different cuisines, as can be seen in the delicious meals like fish pie and beef with chocolate sauce. Especially the seasonal dishes like king crab are delicious and worth experiencing. Not to mention the extensive wine menu Skillet has to offer. Since the head chef specializes in desserts, you are definitely obligated to try out some of their pastries.
Graze
Graze is a classy yet cordial place serving wonderful European specialities made from fresh ingredients. What perhaps sets Graze miles ahead of the pack is the fact that its setting buzzes with energy. Its staff is genuinely cheerful and welcoming. What’s more, the restaurant’s decor is in a class of its own, with a design that combines a warm architecture which brings closeness to the visitors and above all curved glass walls that bring a sense of spaciousness to the interior.
Their menu is made up of pork-free meals mainly relying on organic ingredients. Overall, their starters, mains and desserts are way above what you would expect to find in this part of the globe. It’s seasonal menus showcase western dishes from various countries allowing it to please any visitor with dishes like Alaskan halibut and salmon, to lamb racks and duck confit. The restaurant also prides itself on its wide selection of various cheeses to truly finish your dinner in the traditional fashion.
Considering its convenient location, as it’s located on level 5 of the Hilton Hotel, next to KL Sentral railway station, and the outstanding quality of services, the charming restaurant stands out as an good option for both a romantic dinner and a wholesome family dinner.
AQUA Restaurant & Bar
If you are looking for a poolside meal for the ultimate vacation feeling in the heart of Kuala Lumpur then this restaurant is for you. AQUA Restaurant and Bar offers western food like Italian tagliatelle with prawns, a diverse array of pizza’s, gambas and juicy Texan burgers and some common Asian dishes like Thai chicken wraps, satay and spring rolls. It does not sound like haute cuisine, but the dishes are surprisingly well made familiar and tasty food. The restaurant calls the concept global tapas and pizza’s.
Where the restaurant truly excels at is making delicious cocktails which you can enjoy at the poolside, with the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur on the horizon. After a day of shopping this is an excellent place to cool down at and sip a nice mojito, margarita or a non-alcoholic mocktail. Ending your evening with a cocktail and a great view is what vacation is truly about.
Interesting restaurants
Atmosphere 360
Atmosphere 360 is a restaurant we simply couldn’t forget. The ultimate selling point is that you get a buffet in the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower. That alone makes Atmosphere 360 one of the most popular restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. It offers a slowly revolving restaurant with a 360 degrees view over the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur located at around 282 meters above ground level.
Atmosphere 360 is a buffet restaurant that will spoil you with choices. The restaurant does not restrict itself to one type of cuisine, so you can enjoy both western and Asian dishes. But it is quite clear Malay delicacies are favored of the menu.
Tamarind Springs
If you like Malay, Thai or Chinese food, this is the place to go for. Nestled slightly outside of Kuala Lumpur in a lush natural forest reserve, Tamarind Springs by Samadhi provides the best flavorful food and amazing experience to our customers. From tasteful curries to signature dishes to delicately designed delights, the restaurant offers a vast range of contemporary recipes to delight your senses.
With elegant and spacious outdoor as well as indoor space nestled in the impressive green and traditionally Malay surroundings, Tamarind Springs offers a wonderful place for a romantic evening with your loved one. The resort-like atmosphere creates an instantly inviting setting for any event. You can sit back and relax, and have a good time with friends and family in the midst of a dazzling array of dishes and drinks. Awarded as one of the best restaurants in the country Tamarind Springs is a must visit restaurant for best Indo-Chinese food.